Google has stripped its Chrome browser of the hands-free "OK Google" voice command.

As noted by VentureBeat, Google got rid of the feature on the desktop because not many people were using it. The change does not affect Chrome on mobile or Chromebooks.

The "OK Google" voice command arrived in November 2013 via a Chrome extension. When installed, it allowed those on the desktop to speak their commands to their laptop's browser using the "OK Google" hotword. At the time, Google said it would be useful for quick answers when you had your hands full (like when you're cooking).

But turns out, it's more popular to speak to our mobile devices than our PCs. In the past two years, voice-activated mobile assistants, from Siri to Google Now to Cortana, have become more powerful and useful. So it's more convenient to talk to your phone than to have your laptop on and open to Google.com on Chrome, awaiting your command.

The removal of "OK Google" comes with the launch of Chrome 46, which also says farewell to the Chrome notification center.

If you've had your browser open for a few days, you might still be able to use "OK Google" on Chrome. It was active on my PC a few minutes ago, but disappeared once I updated to Chrome 46 (Help and about > About Google Chrome) and re-launched the browser.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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